Senior Instructor
Sandan Renshi 3rd Degree Black belt
Born in Istanbul in 1976. Studied Business and Management & Computers in Oxford Brookes University and got his BS degree in the year of 2000. He went to Bournemouth in England to get his MA degree in Information Systems Management and successfully got his degree in the year of 2002 and returned back to his hometown.
Started Martial Arts in the year of 1994 in the art of Kaizen Aikijutsu with Kyoshi Teddy Wilson and has been practicing it for almost 10 years now and holds a 3 rd degree back belt in the system.
While he was away for his Masters degree he also practiced several martial arts as well as teaching Kaizen Aikijutsu in famous gyms of Bournemouth like “Top Notch” and “Bulldog Gym”. The other martial arts he practiced during his studies include Wado Ryu Karate, Wing Chun, Shaolin Kung Fu and Brazilian Jiujutsu. Now he is still practicing and teaching at the Club Aiki in Istanbul.
"Kaizen Aikijutsu can be simply defined as a complete martial arts system where it combines every aspect of martial arts such as locking, throwing, striking, kicking, and weaponry. I have been practicing Kaizen Aikijutsu for almost 10 years now and the benefits I earned from it can be a long list but the main benefits are; self confidence, being able to decide quickly, learning to live in reality which makes you a better and more mature person at the end."
"As a teacher Kyoshi Teddy Wilson has always been sincere with his Martial Arts, and his teaching always contains detailed explanations of the techniques, which I never came across in any other martial arts classes. He is always eager to share his knowledge and experience with his students and with other people and for me he is one of the greatest martial arts instructors living today."
Senior Instructor (Kaizen Kenjutsu)
Sandan 3rd Degree Black belt
I was born in Istanbul in 1973, and have studied Political Sciences in Istanbul University. I have been working in textiles sector for the last 9 years, at the moment working for a UK based company in Istanbul.
I have been studying with Kyoshi Teddy Wilson since 2001 starting with Kaizen Aikijutsu and Chinese Kempo. Following these two disciples, I have started practicing Kaizen Kenjutsu and Kobujutsu for the last 3 years.
Over the years training with Kyoshi, I had the greatest luck of studying different disciplines. As the Foundation of our System constitutes of 3 main branches; Aikijutsu, Chinese Kempo and Kenjutsu, it has given me great diversity and chance to expend my perception over martial arts.
However it has been almost a natural preference, to canalize more into Kaizen Kenjutsu over the time. Within the “art of sword” I have found myself deeply taken by the physical and mental balance. The reward of kenjutsu, when practiced in the “true way”, it becomes an art of beauty and goodness, where I find inner peace. Unlike many other martial arts it can provide a means to train alone and can become almost meditational in its qualities.
I am most grateful to my Master, Kyoshi Teddy Wilson, for his teachings through out the years, not only in the practical means of martial arts but also being a true guidance for my spiritual growth and cultivating my inner strength.
Senior Instructor (Kaizen Aikijutsu)
Sandan 3rd Degree Black belt
I was born in Istanbul, in 1984. I graduated from Istanbul University, Mining Engineering in 2006. Currently, I am working as Kyoshi Teddy Wilson’s assistant.
I met with Kyoshi Teddy Wilson and Club Aiki in July, 2001. At the time martial arts did not interest me much, however one morning, I went to watch a class. I admired the respect, the discipline and the harmony I witnessed in the class, and the techniques they were applying greatly appealed to me. Kaizen Aikijutsu is an active part of my life for over 7 years and today I am a 2nd Dan Black Belt.
In the course of my studies, Kaizen Aikijutsu has developed my character in many ways. The way I perceive life, my self confidence, discipline, focus and stance in the face of hardship; have all improved substantially, in parallel to the improvement of my practice in the dojo. Kyoshi Teddy Wilson has been an inspirational guide in all fields of my life. I am grateful for the qualities he has helped me develop.
Asst. Instructor
Shodan 1st Degree Black belt
I am Ceren Balkir Övünç. After I studied architecture in Ankara and Vienna, I worked in several architectural offices as project director and designer for about 5 years. At the moment, I am an leading the design studio at the İstanbul Kültür University, Architecture Faculty and at the same time running my home-office, working mostly on small-scale projects and competitions.
I met Club Aiki and Kyoshi Teddy Wilson in 2001, after I came back from Austria, when I was trying to get used to Istanbul. At that time I wanted to do something with my body, but going to a gym or jogging was not attractive enough for me. Then I heard Sensei Gisela, talking about aikido, Club Aiki, Kyoshi, his system of Kaizen Aikijutsu, the dojo and how these changed her life. That was the thing I was looking for; something not only for my body but also for my mind, which has a deepness and philosophy, that can open new gates till the end of my life and at the same time useful for self-defense.
After 7 years, working with Kyoshi I am now at black belt level. In these years, my first impression about his art never changed, I am simply fascinated with it. Not only how sophisticated he moves or how easily and skillfully he applies his techniques, but also the way he teaches to all kind of different people gathered at the dojo and how he creates a positive atmosphere around him still fascinate me. I learned from him that if you have an open mind and hearth, there is nothing in this world that you won’t learn. He is the best teacher I have ever met, who has a great wisdom, experience and skill. In each step I make forward in Kaizen Aikijutsu, I feel that my self-confidence and my stance in life is strengthened as well. I just find myself lucky to be a part of his dojo.
Asst. Instructor
Shodan 1st Degree Black belt
I was born on 1971. After graduation from KAL , I moved to England and studied in Manchester. My interest in martial arts had started by then. After some brief attempts in England and another in Istanbul my training and more importantly my will had come to a standstill. As destiny would have it, we ended up in Hanshi’s dojo “Club Aiki” with (to be sensei) Tolga on a random day and thus started on a regular basis.
Instantly we realized we are at the presence of a special master; this is most crucial in any martial arts training. How Hanshi makes the student-teacher connection is remarkable; on one hand demonstrating excellent martial arts and warrior spirit; on the other how he encourages ideas and emotions to be shared in the dojo and how he pushes us in ALL arenas of life to be a better person, to achieve, to develop iron will & determination and yet maintain a soft and flexible physical-mental-spiritual posture.
With a lot of training, concentration and crucial help of a master, anyone will get there eventually. What was once a dream as we entered the dojo on our first day, is now a reality. Kaizen Aiki-jitsu is a way of life, a complete experience of a fuller, richer life. I feel obliged to thank our dear Master in believing in me, evermore pushing me onto new boundaries and most importantly helping me realize my potential . and most importantly for showing me : The journey never ends, and wisdom is attained only as we travel.
Asst. Instructor
Shodan 1st Degree Black belt
Born in 1970, Sensei Tolga Orkan is the managing partner of a logistics company. Married, have a son. A regular student of Wilson’s Aikijitsu classes since late 2000.
"The skill to teach and inspire , I believe, is an intrinsic talent of Professor Wilson and I find myself privileged to be a part of his classes and to have the chance have known him. I hereby want to thank him for all his efforts and support."
"Aikijitsu, both the physical exercise and the philosophy behind it has made a positive contribution to my physical, spiritiual and mental well-being. I feel spiritually alleviated aswell, as I climb the steps higher in Aikijitsu."
After graduation, I have spent six years in a leading multi-national logistics company and then became an entrepreneur myself in the same sector. During all this time I have encountered many challenges in business life. Aikijitsu have shown me new and useful viewpoints to cope with these.
I am happy to observe that the quality of both my personal and business life improved beyond words with the contribution of the teachings of martial arts.
